"This collaboration supports the efforts to achieve national independence of defense industry," Ryacudu remarked at the opening of the Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2018 here Wednesday.
The strategic objective of Indo Defense 2018 Forum is to promote Indonesia`s defense industry products.
According to the minister, an independent and advanced defense industry supports the growth and independence of the domestic economy, which is in line with the Indonesian government`s vision.
Indonesia has always been a potential producer as well as the most attractive market for the defense industry in Southeast Asia.
"This is because our region faces many forms of real threats, such as terrorism and radicalism, natural disasters, piracy, drug smuggling, cyber threats, and others," Ryacudu, who is also a former army chief of staff, revealed.
Indo Defense 2018 Forum is an industry and defense technology exhibition that integrates Indo Aerospace and Indo Helicopter, which showcases aerospace, airport, and helicopter industries.
Indo Defense also features Indo Marine, which showcases shipyard and seaport technologies.
There are several aspects in Indo Defense 2018 which have increased by 15 percent compared to that in the previous year.
"There is an increase in terms of the area and number of participants. In 2016, this exhibition was participated by 761 participants from 45 countries, while this year, the number of exhibitors increased to 867 participants from 60 countries, of which 30 of them are present in pavilions, including Indonesia," Ryacudu remarked.
The number of official delegations has also increased. There are 10 defense ministers and those of the same position, as well as a number of chiefs of staff and commanders in chiefs from participating countries.
"We also should be proud because this exhibition is the largest defense exhibition in Southeast Asia that can be equated with world defense industry exhibitions such as the Eurosatory Defense Exhibition in Paris and DSEI (Defense and Security Equipment International) in London. Indo Defense is also included in the world event calendar," the four-star retired general noted.
During the exhibition, Indo Defense features some programs, including an international forum with a theme Ensuring Regional Stability through Cooperation On Counter Terrorism, Indo Marine 2018 Forum as well as the Indo Aerospace 2018 Business Forum.
A business forum will be held for the first time at Indo Defense Forum, with a theme of Promoting National Defense Industry. The event will bring together non-traditional buyers and Indonesian defense industry players.
"We hope that these agendas will expand market for Indonesian defense industry products, both as whole products and as part of the global defense industry chain," he remarked.
A new product of the Indonesian national defense industry produced by PT Pindad, namely Medium Tank, is showcased at Indo Defense Fair. This product is developed in collaboration between PT Pindad and the FNSS, Turkey.
Medium Tank is a form of support from the Indonesian government for domestic defense industries.
Indo Defense Forum 2018 receives visits from various groups of official delegates, armed forces, governments, administrations, businesses, students of the military academy and the police, defense companies and industries, and the public.
The exhibition is held from Nov 7 to 10, 2018, and is expected to be visited by 25 thousand visitors.
Reporting by Syaiful Hakim
Editing by Libertina W Ambari
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
